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William Smith Athletics | September 28, 2013

Simmons scores pair to lead No. 5 William Smith

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GENEVA, N.Y. -- Senior Julia Simmons scored a pair of goals to lead fifth-ranked William Smith to a 3-1 Liberty League field hockey victory against visiting Rensselaer on McCooey Field this afternoon. Senior Taylor Cappello added three points to become the 13th Heron to register 100 career points.

William Smith (8-0, 1-0) got on the board in the fifth minute when senior Caitlin Moran sent a long corner from the right sideline into the middle of the circle. Sophomore Cory Connolly got a stick on it lifting it over a defender's stick leaving Simmons free to redirected it into the cage. The Herons had a 12-2 advantage in shots and a 5-2 edge in corners in the first half, but the numbers weren't indicative of how well the Engineers' played. RPI was able to run up and down the field with William Smith, moving into the attacking third, but the visitors struggled to make the final connection in the circle to put the ball on frame.

The Herons doubled their lead just 1:45 into the second half when Cappello scored on a turnaround shot 4 yards off the end line. It was her team-leading seventh of the season.

In the 50th minute, Simmons scored again on a nifty, athletic play. She corralled a pass from Cappello that was behind her and pulled it into the cage with a reverse stick while falling down. Cappello now has 44 goals and 12 assists for 100 points exactly.

Rensselaer (3-5, 0-2) broke up the shutout bid in the 59th minute when Hana Murphy finished a scramble in front of the goal following a penalty corner.

Like the first half, the Engineers were able to generate chances in the attacking zone, but only managed to push the one past first-year goalie Amy Feda. She recorded four saves to earn her seventh win of the season.

RPI's Hannah Clough made 10 stops.

The final shot totals were 20-10 in favor of William Smith while penalty corners favored the Engineers 10-9, thanks to an 8-4 advantage in the second half.